Animal-assisted therapy can effectively reduce the loneliness of residents in
long-term care facilities. (Banks, 2002).
People with borderline hypertension had lower blood pressure on days they took
their dogs to work. (Allen, K. 2001).
Seniors who own dogs go to the doctor less than those who do not. In a study
of 100 Medicare patients, even the most highly stressed dog owners in the
study has 21 percent fewer physician's contacts than non-dog owners. (Siegel,
1990).
Activities of daily living (ADL) level of seniors who did not currently own
pets deteriorated more on average than that of respondents who currently owned
pets. (Raina, 1999).
Seniors who own pets coped better with stress life events without entering the
healthcare system. (Raina, 1998).
Pet owners have lower blood pressure. (Friedmann, 1983, Anderson 1992).
Pet owners have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels than non-owners
(Anderson, 1992).
ACE inhibitors lower resting blood pressure but they do not diminish
reactivity to mental stress. Pet ownership can lessen cardiovascular
reactivity to psychological stress among hypertensive patients treated with a
daily dose of Lisinopril. (Allen, 1999).
Companionship of pets (particularly dogs) helps children in families adjust
better to the serious illness and death of a parent (Raveis, 1993).
Pet owners feel less afraid of being a victim of crime when walking with a dog
or sharing a residence with a dog. (Serpel, 1990).
Pet owners have fewer minor health problems (Friedmann, 1990, Serpel, 1990).
Pet owners have better psychological well-being (Serpel, 1990).
Contact with pets develops nurturing behavior in children who may grow to be
more nurturing adults (Melson, 1990).
Pet owners have a higher on-year survival rates following coronary heart
disease (Friedman, 1980, 1995).
Medication costs dropped from an average of $3.80 per patient per day to just
$1.18 per patient per day in new nursing home facilities in New York, Missouri
and Texas that have animals and plants as an integral part of the environment.
(Montague, 1995).
Pets in nursing homes increase social and verbal interactions adjunct to other
therapy. (Fick, 1992).
Pet owners have better physical health due to exercise with their pets.
(Serpel, 1990).
Having a pet may decrease heart attack mortality by 3%. This translates into
30,000 lives saved annually (Friedman, 1980).
Dogs are preventive and therapeutic measures against everyday stress (Allen,
1991).
Pets decrease feeling of loneliness and isolation (Kidd, 1994).
Children exposed to humane education programs display enhanced empathy for
humans compared with children not exposed to such programs. (Ascione, 1992).
Positive self-esteem of children is enhanced by owning a pet. (Bergensen,
1989).
Children's cognitive development can be enhanced by owning a pet. (Poresky,
1988).
70% of families surveyed reported an increase in family happiness and fun
subsequent to pet acquisition. (Cain, 1985).
The presence of a dog during a child's physical examination decreases their
stress. (Nadgengast, 1997, Baun, 1998).
Children owning pets are more involved in activities such as sports, hobbies,
clubs or chores. (Melson, 1990).
Children exposed to pets during the first year of life have a lower frequency
of allergic rhintis and asthma. (Hesselmar, 1999).
Childen with autism have more prosocial behaviors less autistic behaviors such
as self-absorption. (Redefer, 1989).
Children who own pets score significantly higher on empathy and prosocial
orientation scales than non-owners. (Vidovic, 1999).
Pets fulfill many of the same support functions as humans for adults and
children. (Melson, 1998).
People who have AIDS that have pets have less depression and reduced stress.
Pets are a major source of support and increase perception the ability to
cope. (Siegel, 1999, Carmack, 1991).
